How to build sturdy steps from deck?

[BoeingFan]

Hi all,

Well, as I mentioned, I'd like to try my hand at creating some steps from our deck to the ground, and I have no idea where to start. Below are some spec's, please tell me if any other measurements would help. 

Slope is ~10º

1770mm wide from outside left of left post to outside right of right hand post

940mm high middle of right post, from top of decking board to ground

800mm high middle of left post, from top of decking board to ground

I love everything to be over-engineered. I'd like the steps to be roomy and sturdy. 

Thank you

[EricL]

Hello @BoeingFan 

I propose looking at the Wilmaplex Ezistep Stringers H3 Treated Pine. It can be assembled quickly and easily with a power drill and a #10 (No.2) square attachment, ideal for when you need to build steps for your deck. The grooved treads are easily assembled as the stringers are routed in for secure and longer lasting construction. The best part is they've done the measurements for you, I recommend having a look at the brochure below. 

Here is a link to their brochure: Willmaplex Ezistep

If you've had a chance to look, your steps would be around 5 with a stringer height of 960 and a depth of 1285. I propose building a concrete base at the bottom for a flat level mount for the stringers.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Noyade and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[BoeingFan]

G’day @EricL 

Thank you for your reply, however as I’m in a bushfire prone zone I’d prefer to avoid pine as much as possible and go for hardwood or metal. Do you have any other products which may work?

Cheers,

Jason

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @BoeingFan 

Mmm that makes it a little harder as I havnt seen metal tread steps at Bunnings. I have looked at those steps a LOT and have even coppied their fall and depth Tho ended up making my own. The step heights at bunnings are metal so you could potentially have a look around for a metal tread that matches what you are thinking of as the look I just had on Google comes up with a more industrial style I like that but for a home and backyard maybe not.

I was thinking the same types of stringers that @EricL has mentioned but metal with a hardwood top. Trying to work out steps from scratch was a pain but really once you find a step that feels comfortable from you (check out steps in public areas, anywhere really and tale a tape measure with you, measure the height of each step and the depth. Then you can work out how many steps you require to drop from your deck to the ground and also how far distance wise you will have to travel. 

Here is my project that involves the gabion steps. (step 2) It shows the things I considered when working out how to build them. If you go for a handmade solution this is what I mean compared to the metal stringers from Bunnnings and you have a look for the steel treads you want.

Gabion retaing wall and gabion steps 

Dave

[BoeingFan]

Good morning @Dave-1 

If the metal stringers could be used on my job, I can easily find hardwood steps from a number of places around this area. I'd be happy with that combo of metal and hardwood. 

I have no idea how to do concreting, bolting into concrete, or, how to work out how to 'flush up' the decking posts to bolt the stringers to, or even how to work out if the front face of the deck posts are in a straight line off the house. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @BoeingFan,

There are a variety of metal stringers that could be used; you would just need to pour a level concrete footing at the base of the steps to bolt them to. Using the table on Galintel's page - Metal Stair Stringers - I'd say you probably need 6 tread stringers to account for the slope away from the deck.

In terms of step treads, 200 x 50mm Merbau could be used. This is a hardwood that would be better suited to bushfire areas. I would also give your local store's Trade Desk a call to discuss options as a lot of stores can get rough-sawn 200x50 hardwood treads, but they are not always stocked so they won't be listed on our website.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[BoeingFan]

Hi @JacobZ 

If questions were tennis balls, I'd be a tennis ball launcher 😂

I just thought of another question; what's the weight capacity of those metal stringers?

[JacobZ]

Hi @BoeingFan,

Unfortunately, you're never going to get a straightforward kilogram figure in terms of the weight rating of stringers because their weight-bearing capacity is dependent on the footing, attachment point and the type of treads used. If you wanted a figure like that, you would need to speak with a structural engineer to do a point load calculation.

It is not exactly what you've asked, but they have been assessed and certified to comply with all relevant Australian and New Zealand Standards, which can be seen here - Acronem Engineering Evaluation Certificate 220701 PEAK STAIR STRINGER.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good morning @BoeingFan 

I do remember reading somewhere to add an extra stringer if the distance was too wide, you could aslo add another stringer for any weight issues.

Dave

[Noyade]

Morning @BoeingFan 

"I have no idea how to do concreting, bolting into concrete"

It's a lot easier than you think.

My father (a builder) when building sheds used to insert bolts in the concrete slab before they dried and troweled around them. This was for the bottom plate.

I was thinking of a small slab with the same idea and maybe with help(?) weld up a frame 'upwards' from an anchored steel plate.

Simple 'playground' type structure. This way - no need to even connect to the wood patio.

I hope that makes sense.

Cheers.